Soldier of the Ardennes

This custom edition contains complete scans of Mr. DiPietro's actual letters from the war. Preserved for over 60 years, they give a valuable perspective on World War II through the eyes of Francis Charles DiPietro, a front line infantry soldier with the renowned 83rd Thunderbolt Division. Deployed to Europe in the most decisive hour of the war, Frank and the 83rd trudge through the Ardennes forest in waist-deep snow to push back the enemy forces in the Battle of the Bulge. They are the first American division to reach the Rhine river in Germany, establish the Elbe bridgehead, and help deliver the blow to Hitler's forces which ends the war in Europe. The letters are divided into three main groups: 1.) covering Frank’s 17 weeks of basic training at Camp Wheeler in Georgia, 2.) the war in Europe and the maneuvers of the 83rd Division as they press back German forces, 3.) the obstacles of peace and military government which arise after the official German surrender in May of 1945.